We love 4K Blu-ray is here at TechRadar and we regularly use it as one of our main sources for testing the latest AV equipment.
In November 2024 we launched Blu-ray Bountya monthly column in which we review the latest 4K Blu-ray releases. But we don't write about the films themselves. Instead we use best tvs And best soundbars to evaluate the picture and sound quality of each disc.
We have decided to expand our 4K Blu-ray coverage in the future, and to that end, I will be regularly previewing announced discs that I hope will be featured in future Blu-ray Bounty releases. Here is my wish list for January 2026:
Captain Blood (1935) – A Collection of Criteria
Based on the 1922 novel of the same name. Captain BloodThe Movie, starring Errol Flynn, is a classic pirate adventure that tells the story of pirate Peter Blood. It was this film that made Flynn a Hollywood star.
While testing the Blu-ray Bounty, I found that some of the most impressive discs were 4K restorations of old films. Double indemnityOne of my favorite discs, it really shows what 4K can do for classic games. Add Seven Samurai, Godzilla (1954) And Sunset Boulevard to this list, and the lineup of excellent older film releases continues to grow.
Captain Blood will be the oldest film I've ever rated. Released in 1935, it is a full ten years older than the current oldest (Dead of night), so I'm very curious to see if the Criterion Collection has worked its magic once again. Since it was shot in black and white, I'm hoping for a restoration that showcases strong contrast, animated textures, and a cleaner overall look while still retaining some of the film grain.
Dead Man (1995) – Criteria Collection
Director Jim Jarmusch called it a “psychedelic western.” Dead man follows William Blake (Johnny Depp), an accountant on the run, who meets a Native American man named Nobody (Gary Farmer), who becomes convinced that Blake is the reincarnation of the famous poet of the same name.
Two bright moments Dead man is in black and white and features a score composed by Neil Young. I hope this will be another great disc for showcasing contrast and it will be interesting to compare the modern black and white title shot with the old title e.g. Captain Blood.
Young's score for Dead man is one of the most unique songs I've ever heard, as it's performed almost entirely on just an electric guitar. As sung by Young, it features big, chugging riffs, slick Western-style solos, and some magical guitar effects. I'm thrilled to hear this updated soundtrack played through our reference soundbar system. Samsung HW-Q990C.
Tron: Ares – Disney/Buena Vista
Third film in Throne franchise, Tron: AresThe film, starring Jared Leto, tells the story of Ares, a digital being brought into the physical world by ENCOM competitor Dillinger Industries.
I tested both Throne And Tron: Legacy in September 2025 on Blu-ray Bounty, and both discs were excellent. Although the computer graphics looked dated, Throne was perhaps more impressive, with superb color detail and an impressive soundtrack. It was the same with Tron: Legacywhere the real highlight was Daft Punk's superb soundtrack.
Bye Tron: Ares Receiving mixed reviews upon release, its visuals and sound were praised, and that's what we're all about here at TechRadar. I'm looking forward to seeing if Tron: Ares may follow in the footsteps of its predecessors as an excellent demo disc for home theater systems.
Yi Yi – Criteria Collection
Directed by Edward Young Yi Yi is a Taiwanese film that tells the story of an engineer named New Jersey, his struggle and the struggle of three generations of his family. It won Ian the Best Director award at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival.
Although this is not a film that I personally watched, briefly Google The image search yields some striking visuals, especially the shot of a bright red room. This might be the ideal disc for testing a TV's color performance, and I'd love to see if The Criterion Collection's 4K disc captures the film's vibrant colors.
Below are the January 2026 release dates for major 4K Blu-ray discs (the above dates are in bold). All dates are based on US release dates, with UK release dates in parentheses if different.
4K Blu-ray release dates are January 2026.
January 6
- Tron: Ares (12 January, UK)
- Dead Man (12 January, UK)
- Under siege
- Bullet to the head
- The mirror is cracked
January 12
- Yi Yi (19 January, UK)
- Snakes on a plane
- Cruise
- Dante Peak
- Bringing out the dead
- Evil Dead: Rise
January 20
- Captain Blood (26 January, UK)
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (1983, live action)
- One Battle After Another (January 26, UK)
- Dead (1987) (26 January, UK)
- Death on the Nile (1978)
- Evil Under the Sun (1982)
- Diva (1981)
- Guardian (2025)
- Changed (2025)
January 26/27
- Destruction machine
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Birth (2004)
- One day a thief
- Mechanic (1982)
- Wild Beasts (1984)
- Dam busters
- Home party
- Troll 2
- American Graffiti (UK)
- Blues Brothers 45th Anniversary (UK)
- Field of Dreams (UK)
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